Appraisal

IMPORTANT UPDATE: There is currently a delay in the background checking process. Background checks are taking approximately 6-8 weeks, resulting in a significant delay in the licensing process. We apologize for any inconvenience this causes and appreciate your patience as we work to address this delay.

Frequently Asked Questions

A license is not required for the following individuals who give an opinion regarding the value of real estate (but an opinion of value may not be referred to as an "appraisal"):

A licensed real estate Broker or Sales Agent who gives an opinion of value in the ordinary course of business.
An employee of a company who gives an opinion of value solely for the company’s use.
Any government official or employee acting within their scope of duties.
An auditor or accountant who gives an opinion of value while performing an audit.
An individual who gives an opinion of value for property in which the individual has an ownership interest.
An individual who gives an opinion of value for which no consideration is paid and upon which no other party is
Reasonably expected to rely.
An individual, such as a researcher or secretary, who does not provide significant professional assistance at arriving at analysis, opinion, or conclusion.
An attorney authorized to practice law in Utah who uses an appraisal report or who states an opinion of value in the ordinary course of business.

Unless exempted under Section 61-2e-104, an appraisal management company is required to register under this chapter if, in a calendar year, the company:

contracts with one or more appraisers for the performance of 10 or more appraisals in the state;
oversees an appraiser panel of more than 15 appraisers certified or licensed in the state in accordance with Title 61, Chapter 2g, Part 3, Licensure, Certification, or Registration; or
oversees an appraiser panel of 25 or more certified or licensed appraisers, including:
1. at least one appraiser certified or licensed in the state in accordance with Title 61, Chapter 2g, Part 3, Licensure, Certification, or Registration; and
2. at least one appraiser certified or licensed in a state other than Utah, a territory, or the District of Columbia.

The State of Utah may issue a six-month Temporary Practice Permit to a non-resident who holds a license/certificate for real estate appraisal from another jurisdiction, if the license/certificate is in good standing and the nature of the business is temporary.

To obtain the Permit, submit to the Division:

Completed and signed Appraiser Temporary Practice Application .

$100 non-refundable fee.

NOTE: No more than 2 permits will be issued per calendar year.

To apply for a license through reciprocity, submit to the Division:

Completed and signed Appraiser Reciprocity Application .
Letter of Request from the applicant, which includes a list of all other states in which the applicant is licensed or certified, including those states in which you may have sought only temporary status.
$475 non-refundable fee ($350 application fee and $80 National Registry fee, $40 Fingerprint fee and $5 rap back fee).

Eventually all currently licensed Real Estate and Appraisal Licensees are required to be enrolled in RAPBACK. RAPBACK fingerprinting enrollment commended in January, February, and the first two weeks in March of 2020. Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, enrollment in RAPBACK was suspended until July of 2021 when the enrollment process resumed. Real estate and appraisal license licensees are required to be fingerprinted and enroll in RAPBACK in order to renew their licenses.

Go to the Division website at www.realestate.utah.gov. Then click on the aqua colored “RapBack Service” button in the lower right-hand corner of the Division Home page. Then enter your license number and last 4 digits of their social security number and will be directed to approve a consent form authorizing your enrollment in the FBI RapBack Fingerprinting system, and receive multiple pages of helpful information and further instructions on the fingerprinting procedure. Once your background check has "cleared" you will be able to renew your license in your individual RELMS account.

Yes. The FBI only allows the fingerprinting of an individual based upon a specific, unique statute which authorizes their fingerprinting. Since the statutory reason for a real estate and appraisal license are found under different sections of the Utah State Code, individuals holding both a real estate and appraisal license are required to enroll in the RapBack system when they renew each of their licenses. Licensees cannot use the same fingerprint cards for RapBack enrollment in both professions.